Around Town
Meetings & Lectures
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
At this week’s meeting, Mrs. Arie Raysor discusses the concept of assisted living in a talk entitled, “Peace of Mind: Retaining Control of Your Own Life as You Age.” Raysor, the public relations director for Cielito Lindo, San Miguel’s newest assisted living facility, will address the challenges of aging for people who have lived active and independent lives and want to retain that independence as best they can.
The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30am at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15. Visitors are invited to attend the service and then join the UUs in the hotel restaurant for brunch.
Midday Rotary Club
Dr. Jorge Vidargas, Director of the Felipe G. Dobarganes Municipal Hospital, is the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meeting on May 19. He will talk about the services offered at the Hospital and how he and his staff handled recent influenza cases.
The new hospital, inaugurated just two years ago, has quickly grown in stature because of the professionalism of the staff and the spaciousness of the facility. Servicing both Mexican nationals and foreigners, the Municipal Hospital has three operating rooms, 60 beds, an emergency and trauma unit, a digital X-ray room, laboratory, pharmacy, internal medicine, childbirth and obstetrics area and gynecology services. Dr. Vidargas supervises 60 doctors specializing in more than a dozen medical fields.
Only two months ago, the hospital accepted a donation by Rotary-Midday of diabetic retinopathy equipment which will help prevent loss of eyesight. The retinopathy camera and laser treatment machines are valued at US$50,000.
The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets Tuesdays at Hotel Real de Minas, intersection of calles Ancha de San Antonio and Stirling Dickinson. Check-in time is 12–12:15pm and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. Visit
www.rotarysma.org for more information.
Lions Club International
The Lions Club meets every first and third Thursday (May 21) at the Hotel Quinta Loreto, Loreto 15. Check in time is 12:30pm and the meeting begins at 1pm. You may order lunch from the special menu and parking is ample. For additional information, contact Norma Robinson at 120-0726.
Classes & Workshops
Chess: patio and terrace
Chess players meet Mondays 5–6:30pm in the north portal of the Biblioteca Pública’s central patio. Players also meet three times a week at Casa de la Cultura on Chorro: Saturdays, 10am–2pm, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4:30–7pm.
Tours & Excursions
Saturday Adventure Tours
It’s a one-stop tour this Saturday, May 16. We are going to Talavera “Heaven” at San Gabriel, on the road to Dolores Hidalgo. A lot to see, do and buy here. First we will visit a couple of homes of the owners, to see their ceramic products in everyday use—a set of colorful dishes or a lovely tea set. Then to the factory, where we will see the various molds and forms used for making the infinite number of pieces they produce. If lucky, we will see some of their artists, sitting on low stools in front of a small turntable on which is the article to be painted. And this is a case of what you see is not what you get. If the plate they are painting has a circle of orange, it will come out blue once it is fired. Did you know they get the green from ground-up copper wire? Then, what we all have been waiting for, the gigantic showroom. Here you can find most anything in ceramics, from tiny salt and peppers to huge four-foot urns or a seven-foot, three-tiered fountain. If you are building, this is the place to come for beautiful kitchen tiles, bathroom basins, a mural for the garden wall, macetas by the hundreds, or at least a plaque for beside your front door: Mi casa es su casa. A camera is indispensable.
These tours benefit the Centro de Crecimiento school for disabled children and leave the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.
 |
 |
Audubon Bird Walk |
Audubon’s monthly birdwalk is this Sunday, May 17, when Bob Graham, renowned birder/hiker/leader, will trek to the bridge over the Rio Laja, just past the back road into Atontonilco. Riparian habitat (associated with water) like this is one of the best places to look for birds, especially now that it is dry almost everywhere around San Miguel.
In the past in this spot, we have been lucky enough to see both the Belted and Green Kingfishers, Black Phoebes, Blue and black-headed Grosbeaks, Grove-billed Anis and, of course, the ever-present yet overwhelmingly beautiful Vermilion Flycatcher.
To join this month’s walk, meet Graham at the entrance to the Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20, at 7:45am. As the sun rises higher, you’ll be happier if you’ve brought a hat and water. Cars will be available, but you’ll be welcomed if you come in one that can be shared, and it’s an easy drive to the starting point.
Binoculars would be helpful. Graham will have the new Audubon bird guides with him for purchase. The walk is free for Audubon members and 100 pesos for others. You’ll be back by about noon, with new entries for your life list and new friends in the world of birding. People with questions may call Graham at 154-9856. Audubon is always looking for guest birders to lead walks, too. Visit our website at
http://www.audubonmex.org for more information.
Botanical Garden Tour
A guided tour in English of El Charco del Ingenio each Tuesday and Thursday,
10am–12:30pm, is a fun and informative activity for people of all ages. Entry
is 30 pesos (waived for members) and the tour is 50 pesos. Wear a hat and closed
shoes. The juice bar next to the gift shop has water and refreshments. The
easiest way there is by taxi. Staff will call a taxi for the return trip.
Reservations are not necessary. Information: www.elcharco.org
or email nzerriffi@yahoo.com.
Lions in Tesquisquiapan
On Monday, June 1, the International Lions Club of San Miguel is sponsoring an overnight stay at the Fiesta del Sol hotel in Tesquisquiapan in the State of Querétaro during the Annual National Wine and Cheese Festival. The town is known as the Fountain of Eternal Youth, as the abundant thermal waters contain lithium, magnesim carbonate and calcium.
The famous Temple of Santa Maria de la Asuncion gracing the town’s main square was completed in l874 and boasts pink quarry stones and domes carved in neoclassical style that resemble clouds anchored to the earth.
On Tuesday, June 2, the destination for comida is Hacienda Calindo, near Querétaro. According to legend, the hacienda was built in 1540 as a gift from Hernán Cortés to his mistress and interpreter, La Malinche.
Based on 35 people, the cost is 1,100 pesos each for a double and 1,300 pesos for a single, which includes breakfast, entrance to the fair, bus, hotel and all tips, plus a donation to the Lions Club, which dispenses glasses and does diabetes testing every Thursday morning at Correo 63. Reserve with Jean Schickel at 152-0934.
Performances & Events
Singles Social Group
Single people socialize and lend support to each other at the group’s delightful venue, the newly opened Woolis Kaban Restaurant at San Francisco 25, next door to HSBC Bank. Singles, couples and anyone interested in meeting new people are welcome every Wednesday, 5–7pm, for 2-for-1 national drinks and delicious Mexican botanas.
Films & Videos
Meditation Center
The Meditation Center at Callejon Blanco 4, near Quebrada, presents Christopher Tutmuss: Global Interconnectedness, Part 2, Thursday, May 21, at 5:30pm. Please arrive before 5:30, as seating is limited and late arrivals disturb others. The films are free, though donations are always welcome.
This talk is based upon the teachings (Dharma) of the Buddha, who taught a practice leading to freedom from suffering. Christopher Titmuss teaches engaged spirituality and insight meditation worldwide. He is an active supporter of the green movement and a board member of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. He is cofounder of the Gaia House retreat center in England. This is the second of two talks made in Santa Rosa, California in August 1989. The subjects discussed are the Dangers for the planet, Dealing with despair, The lack of inherent self-existence, Economics and post-consumerism, Voices of those in fear and Connectedness through action.
Answer to Food Quiz: Apricot
Volunteer Opportunities
Does your nonprofit need some extra help, perhaps for an upcoming event? Send new, short requests for volunteers to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org with “Volunteer Opportunities” in the subject line. Listings run for four issues.
Seeking muralist
Via Organica, San Miguel’s emerging organic organization, has garnered a prime wall space in colonia Guadalupe for a Green-themed mural. If you have experience in mural design and execution, contact Ronnie Cummings at 185-2194.